Advancing Children’s Rights to Education and Safe Reporting: AWJAI’s Ongoing School Advocacy
Since early 2025, the Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI) has been engaging schools across the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to strengthen children’s understanding of their rights. The organisation also works to expand access to education and promote safe reporting pathways for students.
These efforts aim to ensure that children not only remain in school but also understand their rights and know how to seek help when they face harm or abuse.
AWJAI work in schools focuses on two key interconnected priorities:
• Expanding access to quality education for vulnerable students
• Strengthening children’s understanding of their rights and safe reporting pathways
Through these engagements, AWJAI has gained valuable insights into the challenges many students face in recognising and reporting harmful situations.
Breaking Down Barriers to Education
In January 2025, AWJAI partnered with the Neriah Hope and Light Foundation to support financially disadvantaged students across the Federal Capital Territory.
Between 13 and 16 January 2025, AWJAI visited the following six (6) schools:
• Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwagwa
• Government Secondary School (GSS) Kabusa
• Government Secondary School (GSS) Gosa
• Government Secondary School (GSS) Giri
• Government Secondary School (GSS) Lugbe
• Government Secondary School (GSS) Kadin Mangoro
During these visits, cheques were presented to school management to cover West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration fees for students who would otherwise have been unable to sit for their examinations.
Access to education is a fundamental child right. When financial barriers prevent students from taking key examinations, vulnerable children risk being excluded from academic progression.
This intervention ensured that affected students could continue their education without disruption.
Promoting Awareness and Protection for Girls
On 6 February 2025, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, AWJAI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting girls from harmful practices.
To mark the day, AWJAI participated in a sensitisation programme organised by the African Women Lawyers Association Nigeria (AWLA), Abuja Branch. The programme was held at Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa 1, Abuja.
Female Genital Mutilation remains a serious human rights violation. It has long-term physical and psychological consequences for girls and women.
During the session, students received clear and age-appropriate information about the risks of FGM. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns in a safe learning environment.
The engagement encouragement students to speak out against harmful practices. It also helps them understand that protection and reporting pathways exist.
However, discussion with students revealed an important challenge. Many young people want to understand their rights, but legal and safeguarding concepts are often communicated in language that is difficult for children to follow.
Lessons from School Engagements
AWJAI’s visits to schools provided valuable insights into the experiences of students. These interactions helped highlight several gaps in children’s understanding of their rights and personal safety.
First, many children struggle to recognise harmful or abusive situations. Some students are unsure whether certain behaviours or actions are unsafe.
Second, information about rights and protection mechanisms is often presented in complex language. As a result, children may find it difficult to understand what their rights mean in practical terms.
Third, students are sometimes unsure about where to report abuse or whom they can trust when seeking help.
Our findings show that awareness alone is not enough. Children also need clear and simple information that help them understand their rights and act safely when necessary.
Continuing the Work
AWJAI’s engagement with schools continues to be an important part of its advocacy for children’s rights.
AWJAI work with students, educators and communities to promote safer environments for children. The organisation’s efforts also help ensure that students remain in school and feel supported when they face challenges.
By addressing financial barriers to education and raising awareness about harmful practices, AWJAI contributes to stronger protection for children.
Most importantly, school engagements help students understand that their safety, dignity and well-being matter.
Continued collaboration with schools and communities help address these gaps. We remain committed to strengthening children’s rights awareness and promoting safer reporting pathways for young students.